Dual Dispensing valve

ABSTRACT

An aerosol container has dispensing valves which permit dispensing two materials without mixing them inside the valve. The two materials are stored under pressure in inner and outer containers, each container being provided with a valve. The valve of the outer container has dual, preferably concentric, outer and inner passageways in its stem for carrying the products of those respective containers. The inner stem rests on the outer end of the stem for the valve of the inner container with its inner passageway communicating with the passageway of the stem of the inner valve. An actuator is placed on top of the outer valve stem for pushing it down which in turn pushes the inner valve stem down which unseats both valves and permits material to enter both the inner and outer passageways communicating to passageways in the actuator which directs the materials from the inner and outer passageways separately either to a mixing chamber in the periphery of the actuator or to a mixing area just outside the actuator.

United States Patent [191 Meshberg Nov. 18, 1975 Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kenyon & Kenyon Reilly Carr & Chapin [57] ABSTRACT An aerosol container has dispensing valves which permit dispensing two materials without mixing them inside the valve. The two materials are stored under pressure in inner and outer containers, each container being provided with a valve. The valve of the outer container has dual, preferably concentric, outer and inner passageways in its stem for carrying the products of those respective containers. The inner stem rests on theouter end of the stem for the valve of the inner container with its inner passageway communicating with the passageway of the stem of the inner valve. An actuator is placed on top of the outer valve stem for pushing it down which in turn pushes the inner valve stem down which unseats both valves and permits material to enter-both the inner and outer passageways communicating to passageways in the actuator which directs the materials from the inner and outer passage- 9 ways separately either to a mixing chamber in the periphery of the actuator or to a mixing area just outside the actuator.

15 Claims, 2- Drawing Figures DUAL DISPENSING VALVE I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION tain shaving cream dispensers, agents to heat the lather are used and must be kept separate until dispensing of the shaving foam. Another example is in the use of materials such as epoxy paints where an activator or a hardening agent is mixed with the resin material just prior to application. Another example is the production of foam such as polyurethane foams in which the separate-ingredients must be mixed just prior. to the foaming which immediately follows. In these cases as in other cases where materials must be kept separate, having the materials in contact would result in an undesirable chemical reaction which would make the product useless, or could cause solid product to foam inside the valve passageways to block flow or interfere with reliable sealing action and cause leakage.

The prior art has developed various sorts of dispensing valves in an attempt to solve these problems. One example of such a valve, which is believed to illustrate the best prior art solution is shown in may previous U.S. Pat. No. 3,367,114. In the valves disclosed therein, there is a mixing chamber within the valve wherein the two materials are mixed prior to being dispensed from the container, and it has been found that such a valve can present serious problems with some products, particularly when dispensing something like the epoxy paint mentioned above. In such a case if the mixture of materials is allowed to remain within the mixing chambers of the valve, it could harden and block the passageways. Thus, the valve of my above referenced patent includes provisions for purging the chamber after dispensing the mixed material. Although this works well, it adds another requirement to the valve design making it more complex and causes some of the material and even more of the propellant to be wasted in the purging process and is not completely foolproof in all products, i.e'., with some there is still a possibility of' clogging within the mixing chamber. Thus, it can be seen that there is a need for a dispenser which will dispense two materials in such a manner that they are not mixed within the valve but are mixed either outside the aerosol container itself or within a mixing chamber which is easily accessible for cleaning or replacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aerosol dispenser of the present invention fulfills these requirements. The materials are stored in concentric inner and outer containers each having a valve associated therewith. The valve stem of the outer container is constructed to have dual inner and outer concentric axial passageways. The inner passageway is essentially 'butted against the outlet port of the valve on the inner container. When the outer valve stem is depressed, it opens that valve and the material stored in the outer container is fed through a dip tube into a chamber which communicates with the outer passageway of the outer valve. Thus, the second material flows out through the outer passageway. At the same time,

the outer valve stem depresses the valve of the inner container allowing the one material to flow through the inner passageway and out of the aerosol container. An actuator is placed on top of the outer valve stem and has dual passageways communicating with the two passageways in the valve stem. From the passageway within the actuator the two materials can be directed to a mixing chamber formed in the periphery thereof or directly out of the actuator to mix after exit therefrom. The mixing chamber can be formed by making a cavity in the actuator and placing an insert containing an exit port within the cavity, thus permitting the insert to be removed for cleaning out the mixing chamber if it becomes clogged, or the actuator top itself, which is cheap, can be replaced as needed.

With this arrangement, the aforementioned problems such as the possibility of clogging, the need for purging and the waste associated therewith, and the need for special valve design to accomplish purging are eliminated, and even the more difficult products, which have heretofore defied successful aerosol dispensation, can be handled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF'TI-IE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment is shown on FIG. 1. The two materials to be dispensed will be stored respectively in an outer container 11 and an inner container 13. The inner container 13 is of conventional construction and will comprise a shell 15 having a top 17, containing a valve indicated generally as 19, which is crimped to the top of the shell. The valve 19 comprises a body portion 21 in which there is inserted a reciprocating valve stem 23. Sealing is provided at the top of the body 21 by washer 25 which is held between the body 17 and the valve body 21. The

. stem 23 has a hollow cylindrical portion 27 which forms an exit port. As illustrated, the valve is in the operated position with the stem pushed down against the force of a spring 29. In this position, pressure within the container 13 will force the material therein up through a dip tube 30 which is inserted in the body 21, to fill the inside of body 21, and then the material will pass through a port 31 into the hollow portion 27 which forms the outlet port. Normally, with the valve not operated, spring 29 will push against the flange 33 of the stem 23 holding the stern in an up position and causing the port 31 to be sealed by the sealing washer 25.

As noted in my previous U.S. Pat. No. 3,637,1 14, this inner container may be pre-filled with a quantity of material M1 and sealed, then pretested for leakage and the like and stored before assembling into the completed dual dispensing unit.

The inner container 13 is held within the outer container 11 by a molded thermoplastic connector 35, which is designed to fit tightly around the crimped portion of the inner container 13 and effectively form a seal at the point. The connector 35 has a central bore in its upper end to receive the body 37 of the valve for the outer container indicated generally as 39. It also contains a bore at its lower end which will allow it to fit over the top 17 of the inner container to provide additional structural support. Means are provided in the connector 36 for connecting a dip tube 41 which will extend down into a material M2 in the outer container. This dip tube 41 will then be in communication with a chamber 43, formed between the gripping sides of the connector 35 and its central portion. As in the inner container 13, the valve 39 will be mounted in conventional fashion within a top 45 which is crimped on to the outer shell 47 of the outer container 11. The valve stem 49 of valve 39 is sealed at the top by a sealing washer 51 which is held between the top 45 and the valve body 37. It is further sealed on the botton by a sealing washer 53 inserted against a flange within the valve body 37. The valve stem 49 is formed of two concentric cylinders in a manner which provides dual concentric, axial passageways. An outer cylinder 55 has a narrow bore at its bottom section and a larger bore in its top section. Within cylinder 55 is inserted a second cylinder 57 having an outside diameter which is equal to the inside diameter of cylinder 55. As may be seen more clearly by reference to FIG. 2, this causes two passages to be formed within the valve stem. The first or inner passageway 58 is a passage within the cylinder 57. The second or outer passageway 60 is a passage in the area between the cylinders 55 and 57 at the upper portion of the cylinder 55. An extrance port 59 is formed in the side of the cylinder 55 for admittance of material thereto. The cylinder 55 has a flange 61 formed thereon against which a spring 63 acts, between the flange 61 and the washer 53 to hold the stem 49 in the up position when not operated.

In the position shown the port 59 is in communication with a chamber 64 formed between the valve body 37 and the stem 49. When in its normal unoperated position, the valve stem 49 will be held up by the spring 63 and the inlet port 59 will be sealed by the sealing washer 51. The valve body 37 has one or more slots 65 therein to enhance the flow of material into the chamber 64 without interference from the spring 63.

The material in the outer container 11 will be under pressure and will be forced up through the dip tube 41 into the chamber 43. A passageway 67 is formed in the connector 35 to permit fluid to flow to the valve body 37. Valve body 37 has a passageway 69 formed therein which permits the fluid to flow up through the slots 65 into the chamber 63 and thence through port 59 to the outer passageway 60 of the valve stem 49.

A seal 71 is placed in a recess at the bottom of the connector 35, and is held in place by the valve body 37. The projecting end of the valve stem 23 of the inner container is inserted through this sealing washer 71 and contacts the end of the valve stem 49. In the unoperated position, there may be a small tolerance between the stems 23 and 49 to assure that both valves close. The use of the sealing washers 53 and 71 prevent any material which escapes from the ends of the stems 23 and 49 from mixing with the other material in chamber 67.

[n the position shown, the material in inner container 13 will pass through the port 31 into the chamber and exit port 27 thence through the inner passageway 58 of the valve stem 49. At the same time, material from the outer container 11 will pass through the inlet port 59 to the outer passageway 60 of the stem 49. Placed on the top of the stem 49 is an actuator top 75. Actuator 75 has a hole formed therein of a diameter substantially equal to that of the outer diameter of the valve stem 49. The hole is then continued deeper into actuator 75 but with a diameter equal to that of the inner cylinder 57. The larger diameter section forms a first chamber 77 which is in communication with a passageway 79 substantially perpendicular thereto. The smaller diameter is in communication with a chamber 80 which connects with a second parallel passageway 81. As shown in FIG. 1, the two passageways 79 and 81 terminate in a chamber 83 which is formed in a recessed section in the actuator 75 into which is placed a cylindrical member closed on one end except for an exit port 87. Within this chamber 83, the two materials will be mixed prior to being forced out the exit port 87. The member 85 can be constructed so as to be removable so that it is possible to clean out the chamber 83 should any hardening of the mixed materials occur therein. Actuator top 75 may be constructed without a removable member 85 in which case, if clogging occurs, the complete top, which is quite inexpensive, may be replaced.

Alternatively, the actuator 75 may be constructed as shown in FIG. 2. In this construction, the passageways 79 and 81 are communicating directly with the outside atmosphere. The two passageways will be slightly converging so that the materials which exit therefrom will mix outside the actuator 75. In this way, at no time do the materials mix within the aerosol container and there is thus no need to worry about problems caused by such mixing.

Thus a dual dispensing aerosol container in which the two materials to be dispensed are mixed for the first time either aat the periphery of the valve actuator or outside of the container altogether and which avoids problems associated with mixing materials within the aerosol valve has been shown. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention which is intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a dual dispenser aerosol container wherein a first material is stored under pressure with a first container and a second material is stored under pressure within a second container, said first container being precharged before assembly, sealed at its outlet by a first reciprocating valve having an outlet port in a stem protruding therefrom and in connection with said first container being adapted to discharge materials when said stem is pushed in, apparatus to permit simultaneous dispensing of said first and second material comprising, a second reciprocating valve havingdual passageways in a second stem, said second valve being mounted with respect to said containers such that its stem projects externally therefrom, said second valve having one passageway abutting the outlet port of the first valve associated with said first container and another passageway adapted to communicate with the material in the second container when said second reciprocating valve is pressed in, said second valve being further adapted to operate said first valve when pressed in, whereby pressing said second valve will cause simultaneous discharge of two materials through the passageways of said second valve stem with no mixing prior to discharge therefrom.

ways of said outer valve, said internal passageways being formed to separately discharge the first and second materials therefrom into a mixing area exterior of said actuator.

3. The invention according to claim 2 and further including a mixing chamber in said actuator, said chamber receiving the materials from said dual internal passages and having an outlet port from which the mixed materials can be discharged.

4. In a dual dispensing aerosol container wherein a first material is stored under pressure within an outer container and a second material similarly stored within an inner container, said inner container being precharged before assembly, sealed at its top by a reciprocating valve having an axial outlet port in a stem protruding therefrom and adapted to discharge material when said stem is pushed in, said inner container being held in place by a member mechanically coupled to said outer container, apparatus to permit silultaneous dispensing said first and second materials comprising a reciprocating valve having dual axial passageways in a second stern mounted in the top of the outer container and having said second stem projecting therefrom, said second valve having one passageway abutting the outlet port of the inner container and another passageway adapted to communicate with the material in the outer container when said valve is pressed in, said valve being further adapted to operate said inner valve when pressed, whereby pressing said outer valve will cause similtaneous discharge of two materials with no mixing prior to discharge.

5. The invention according to claim 4 and further including an actuator adapted to fit over the projecting end of the stern of said outer valve and having dual internal passages communicating with the dual passageways of said outer valve, said internal passageways being formed to separately discharge the first and second materials therefrom into a mixing area exterior of said actuator.

6. The invention according to claim 5 and further including a mixing chamber in said actuator, said chamber receiving the materials from said dual internal passages and having an outlet port from which the mixed materials can be discharged.

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said mixing chamber comprises a cavity on the surface of said actuator into which a hollow member containing an outlet port is inserted.

8. The invention according to claim 5 wherein said dual passageways are slightly converging adjacent their discharge points to cause the two materials to mix after discharge.

9. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said outer valve comprises:

a. a valve comprising a hollow cylindrical shaped first member having a first inside diameter at one end and a second smaller inside diameter at the other end and having a radial port through its circumference at said one end, and a hollow cylinder second member having an outside diameter equal to the inside diameter at said other end pressed into said first member;

b. a cylindrical valve body;

c'; a first seal held betweenthe top ,of-the outer container and said. body having said one end projecting therethrough for sliding motion therewith;

d. a second seal mounted in said body below said first seal through which said other end is inserted for sliding motion therein thereby fonning a chamber in said body between said two seals, said body being constructed so that said chamber is in communication with the material in said outer container;

. a third seal through which the projecting end of said inner valve is inserted with its end abutting that of said other end and its axial port in communication with the inner passage of said outer stem; and

f. a spring placed between said second seal and a flange formed on said outer valve stem.

10. An aerosol container for dispensing two materials simultaneously in such a manner that the two materials are not mixed within the valve of the container comprising a. an inner aerosol container precharged before assembly storing a first material under pressure and including a projecting reciprocating valve stem with an outlet port,

b. an outer aerosol container storing a second material under pressure;

c. a reciprocating valve sealed in the top of said outer container, the stem of said valve having dual concentric inner and outer axial passageways with the inner passageway extending completely through the stem and the outer passageway extending only through the upper part of the stem, the circumference of said stem having a port therein which will communicate with the second material when the stem is pressed in;

(1. means coupling said inner container to said outer container such that lower end of the stem abuts the projecting stem of said inner container with the inner passageway aligned with the outlet port thereof; and

e. means to seal the area surrounding the abutting ends of said stems whereby operation of said outer valve by pushing its stem in will operate both valves causing said first material to pass through said inner passageway and said second material to pass through said outer passageway for discharge without being mixed within the valve.

11. The invention according to claim 10 and further including an actuator adapted to fit over the projecting end of the stem of said outer valve and having dual internal passages communicating with the dual passageways of said outer valve, said internal passageway being formed to separately discharge the first and second materials therefrom in two essentially parallel paths.

12. The invention according to claim 11 and further including a mixing chamber in said actuator, said chamber receiving the materials from said dual internal passages and having an outlet port from which the mixed materials can be discharged.

13. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said actuator is constructed so as to be replaceable whereby, if said mixing chamber becomes clogged, said actuator may be replaced.

14. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said mixing chamber comprises a cavity on the surface of said actuator into which a hollow member containing an outlet port is inserted.

15. The invention according to claim 11 wherein said cause the two materials to mix after discharge. essentially parallel paths are slightly converging to UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 9 PATENT NO. 3,920,158

DATED November 18, 1975 INVENTOR(S) Phi lip Meshberg It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent 3 are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 30 change "may" to my Column 2, line 47 change "body 17" to top 17 Column 3, line 1 change "the" to that Column 3, line 7 change "36" to 35 a Column 3, line 17 change "botton" to bottom Column 4,. line 35 change "att" to at 0 BIgrwd nd Sealed this twe t' t a [SEAL] h D y f Aprzl11976 Attest.

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN (mnmixsr'nm'r uj'larems and Trademark 

1. In a dual dispenser aerosol container wherein a first material is stored under pressure with a first container and a second material is stored under pressure within a second container, said first container being precharged before assembly, sealed at its outlet by a first reciprocating valve having an outlet port in a stem protruding therefrom and in connection with said first container being adapted to discharge materials when said stem is pushed in, apparatus to permit simultaneous dispensing of said first and second material comprising, a second reciprocating valve having dual passageways in a second stem, said second valve being mounted with respect to said containers such that its stem projects externally therefrom, said second valve having one passageway abutting the outlet port of the first valve associated with said first container and another passageway adapted to communicate with the material in the second container when said second reciprocating valve is pressed in, said second valve being further adapted to operate said first valve when pressed in, whereby pressing said second valve will cause simultaneous discharge of two materials through the passageways of said second valve stem with no mixing prior to discharge therefrom.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 and further including an actuator adapted to fit over the projecting end of the stem of said outer valve and having dual internal passages communicating with the dual passagways of said outer valve, said internal passageways being formed to separately discharge the first and second materials therefrom into a mixing area exterior of said actuator.
 3. The invention according to claim 2 and further including a mixing chamber in said actuator, said chamber receiving the Materials from said dual internal passages and having an outlet port from which the mixed materials can be discharged.
 4. In a dual dispensing aerosol container wherein a first material is stored under pressure within an outer container and a second material similarly stored within an inner container, said inner container being precharged before assembly, sealed at its top by a reciprocating valve having an axial outlet port in a stem protruding therefrom and adapted to discharge material when said stem is pushed in, said inner container being held in place by a member mechanically coupled to said outer container, apparatus to permit silultaneous dispensing said first and second materials comprising a reciprocating valve having dual axial passageways in a second stem mounted in the top of the outer container and having said second stem projecting therefrom, said second valve having one passageway abutting the outlet port of the inner container and another passageway adapted to communicate with the material in the outer container when said valve is pressed in, said valve being further adapted to operate said inner valve when pressed, whereby pressing said outer valve will cause similtaneous discharge of two materials with no mixing prior to discharge.
 5. The invention according to claim 4 and further including an actuator adapted to fit over the projecting end of the stem of said outer valve and having dual internal passages communicating with the dual passageways of said outer valve, said internal passageways being formed to separately discharge the first and second materials therefrom into a mixing area exterior of said actuator.
 6. The invention according to claim 5 and further including a mixing chamber in said actuator, said chamber receiving the materials from said dual internal passages and having an outlet port from which the mixed materials can be discharged.
 7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said mixing chamber comprises a cavity on the surface of said actuator into which a hollow member containing an outlet port is inserted.
 8. The invention according to claim 5 wherein said dual passageways are slightly converging adjacent their discharge points to cause the two materials to mix after discharge.
 9. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said outer valve comprises: a. a valve comprising a hollow cylindrical shaped first member having a first inside diameter at one end and a second smaller inside diameter at the other end and having a radial port through its circumference at said one end, and a hollow cylinder second member having an outside diameter equal to the inside diameter at said other end pressed into said first member; b. a cylindrical valve body; c. a first seal held between the top of the outer container and said body having said one end projecting therethrough for sliding motion therewith; d. a second seal mounted in said body below said first seal through which said other end is inserted for sliding motion therein thereby forming a chamber in said body between said two seals, said body being constructed so that said chamber is in communication with the material in said outer container; e. a third seal through which the projecting end of said inner valve is inserted with its end abutting that of said other end and its axial port in communication with the inner passage of said outer stem; and f. a spring placed between said second seal and a flange formed on said outer valve stem.
 10. An aerosol container for dispensing two materials simultaneously in such a manner that the two materials are not mixed within the valve of the container comprising a. an inner aerosol container precharged before assembly storing a first material under pressure and including a projecting reciprocating valve stem with an outlet port, b. an outer aerosol container storing a second material under pressure; c. a reciprocating valve sealed in the top of said outer container, the stem of said valve haVing dual concentric inner and outer axial passageways with the inner passageway extending completely through the stem and the outer passageway extending only through the upper part of the stem, the circumference of said stem having a port therein which will communicate with the second material when the stem is pressed in; d. means coupling said inner container to said outer container such that lower end of the stem abuts the projecting stem of said inner container with the inner passageway aligned with the outlet port thereof; and e. means to seal the area surrounding the abutting ends of said stems whereby operation of said outer valve by pushing its stem in will operate both valves causing said first material to pass through said inner passageway and said second material to pass through said outer passageway for discharge without being mixed within the valve.
 11. The invention according to claim 10 and further including an actuator adapted to fit over the projecting end of the stem of said outer valve and having dual internal passages communicating with the dual passageways of said outer valve, said internal passageway being formed to separately discharge the first and second materials therefrom in two essentially parallel paths.
 12. The invention according to claim 11 and further including a mixing chamber in said actuator, said chamber receiving the materials from said dual internal passages and having an outlet port from which the mixed materials can be discharged.
 13. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said actuator is constructed so as to be replaceable whereby, if said mixing chamber becomes clogged, said actuator may be replaced.
 14. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said mixing chamber comprises a cavity on the surface of said actuator into which a hollow member containing an outlet port is inserted.
 15. The invention according to claim 11 wherein said essentially parallel paths are slightly converging to cause the two materials to mix after discharge. 